Mesothelioma in Dogs - Signalment - Clinical Signs - Physical Findings - Diagnosis http://ift.tt/1LlieX1
Signalment
Mesotheliomas usually occur in older dogs, with an average onset at 8 years of age. However,
documented cases of mesothelioma have been reported in patients from as young as 7 weeks to as old as 15 years.2-4 Extremely early age of onset (7 weeks old) suggests that congenital mesothelioma may occur infrequently in the dog.1 Bouvier des Flandres, Irish Setters, and German Shepherd Dogs appear to be at greater risk for tumor development, and mesotheliomas are more common in male than in female dogs.
Clinical Signs
The greatest incidence of mesotheliomas occurs in the pleural cavity, followed by the peritoneal and pericardial cavities.2 More than one body cavity may be involved in the neoplastic process. Clinical signs of disease usually are evident for up to one month prior to diagnosis. The major clinical sign of mesothelioma in the dog is dyspnea secondary to body cavity effusions or a large, space-occupying mass. Effusion is the result of fluid exudation from the surface of the tumor or from blocked lymphatic channels.1 Effusion often results in abdominal discomfort, respiratory distress, cough, tachypnea, and exercise intolerance.
Physical Findings
Upon thoracic auscultation, dogs with marked pleural effusion will have muffled heart sounds, decreased lung sounds, and weak peripheral pulse. Pulmonary edema and/or enlarged to globoid heart also may be present. If abdominal mesothelioma is present, effusion will be associated with abdominal distension and lethargy. Hepatomegaly also may be apparent. Sclerosing mesothelioma is seen in male dogs, especially German Shepherd Dogs. This form of mesothelioma is associated with thick fibrous linings of the abdominal or pleural peritoneum. Movement of the abdominal viscera often is restricted secondary to fibrosis, resulting in vomiting and urinary abnormalities.
Diagnosis
A definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma can be challenging, especially in the early stages of disease. If effusion is detected upon physical examination, a complete blood cell count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, radiographs, and ultrasound can provide critical staging criteria. Ultrasound is often useful to evaluate any visceral involvement in the neoplastic process. However, mesotheliomas not visible with ultrasound or CT because they often fail to penetrate the surface of the viscera and may not form discrete masses. In such instances, mesotheliomas may appear only as a diffusely thickened surface.
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Mesotheliomas usually occur in older dogs, with an average onset at 8 years of age. However,
documented cases of mesothelioma have been reported in patients from as young as 7 weeks to as old as 15 years.2-4 Extremely early age of onset (7 weeks old) suggests that congenital mesothelioma may occur infrequently in the dog.1 Bouvier des Flandres, Irish Setters, and German Shepherd Dogs appear to be at greater risk for tumor development, and mesotheliomas are more common in male than in female dogs.
Clinical Signs
The greatest incidence of mesotheliomas occurs in the pleural cavity, followed by the peritoneal and pericardial cavities.2 More than one body cavity may be involved in the neoplastic process. Clinical signs of disease usually are evident for up to one month prior to diagnosis. The major clinical sign of mesothelioma in the dog is dyspnea secondary to body cavity effusions or a large, space-occupying mass. Effusion is the result of fluid exudation from the surface of the tumor or from blocked lymphatic channels.1 Effusion often results in abdominal discomfort, respiratory distress, cough, tachypnea, and exercise intolerance.
Physical Findings
Upon thoracic auscultation, dogs with marked pleural effusion will have muffled heart sounds, decreased lung sounds, and weak peripheral pulse. Pulmonary edema and/or enlarged to globoid heart also may be present. If abdominal mesothelioma is present, effusion will be associated with abdominal distension and lethargy. Hepatomegaly also may be apparent. Sclerosing mesothelioma is seen in male dogs, especially German Shepherd Dogs. This form of mesothelioma is associated with thick fibrous linings of the abdominal or pleural peritoneum. Movement of the abdominal viscera often is restricted secondary to fibrosis, resulting in vomiting and urinary abnormalities.
Diagnosis
A definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma can be challenging, especially in the early stages of disease. If effusion is detected upon physical examination, a complete blood cell count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, radiographs, and ultrasound can provide critical staging criteria. Ultrasound is often useful to evaluate any visceral involvement in the neoplastic process. However, mesotheliomas not visible with ultrasound or CT because they often fail to penetrate the surface of the viscera and may not form discrete masses. In such instances, mesotheliomas may appear only as a diffusely thickened surface.
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